Li Peng's Audience Hall - Yangdi

Taishi Ci · Post by **Taishi Ci** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:07 pm

Peng nodded. "We can continue this month as arranged, then. As for next month, you are right to say that I have enemies. Great forces are arrayed to do battle here in Sai province, and soon. I think it would be best if your men stayed available here, in case something unfortunate should happen. In the meantime, I have a special job for you..." He walked forward close to Mousha zhe, out of earshot of the guards, and said something quietly.

(PM)

"If you can do that, I may raise your payments. If you don't want to do it, then simply continue our agreement as normal."

The servent was sent forward to Mousha zhe, clearly as afraid of his steed as the last person to perform this task had been. He offered the satchel up to the mercenary leader.

(150 gold paid to Mousha zhe, from Li Peng's personal money.)

Flawed

One of the guards took the man's spear and they led him inside to a room where he could wait. Soon Li Peng entered the room, eyeing the man warily. "And who might you be, and what business did you have with me?"

Flawed · Post by **Flawed** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:00 am

The man stood up, offering the imposing visage his height granted him, trying to conceal the obvious wounds he had. Ban was not one to appear weak, or to enjoy the fact that for now.. he was vulnerable. "I come from Yong, seeking employment.. or what some could call shelter, in your ranks. I have friends I could go to, in a land farther away, but I cannot put them in harms way nor can I abandon my cause. I am Xiang Ban, the Ogre of Yong. The story may have spread to Sai, but I doubt it was very reputed. I attacked the town of Songxi, with the goal of taking one mans life. 'Brother' Lao Zi, that snake who doesn't deserve life. I tried for his life, and failed, his cowardice and the attempts of his foolish, soulless puppets spared him from my spear. You now know all you need to know about me, Lord Peng. I need know nothing about you, more than you have a force, and you border the enemy I wish to slay.

I'm sure you have been in touch with them, and this may be too bold of me. You cannot trust that man, or any of those who aide him. He is a snake, his tongue wins battle after battle for him, the foolish flock to his lies. Some may claim to be using him, others that they share power equally.. it is all a lie. Brother Lao is heartless, and cares only for his own ambitions. He sacrificed a woman to me so that he could run away, he claims to be a sage, and uses the visions of children to further his cause. That man cannot be trusted, and he must be killed. I know not how you stand with him now, but I am sure you will end up at war with his puppet, Jin, that stupid woman. I offer my aide to you in any way I can, knowing that in helping you, I help myself."

Rynol · Post by **Rynol** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:41 pm

The swordswoman in yellow marched towards the large militarized fort, and scoffed. "So this is what the village became? Hah. Hah!" She proceeded to the gates, and knocked sharply with the flat of her sword, before sheathing it.

"HEY! YOU! There's someone with a blade to pledge!"

Taishi Ci · Post by **Taishi Ci** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:49 pm

Flawed

"Very well then," said Peng, satisfied with the man's story. "If you are against the cultists, then you are with me. Welcome to Yueyang, Xiang Ban. Serve me well as the Ogre of Sai, as you were an Orge in Yong."

Post in OI thread for PH access.

Rynol

The guards looked at the girl oddly, confused. "Who exactly are you? Are you here to work for Magistrate Li Peng or something? We're gonna have to take your sword, you know."

Lurking Tyranny · Post by **Lurking Tyranny** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:22 pm

Once again Móushā zhě and his men were spotted outside Yueyang. Though some four months past they had been a danger to the citizens of Sai, since they began their contract with Li Peng they had caused little trouble and had instead put themselves to use patroling the ever expanding domains of the Magistrate.

Seated atop his noisy black horse the man called Móushā zhě rode into the city alone and stopped before the high wooden gate of the administrative complex. This is where he usually met with Li Peng and he expected it to be no different this time.

"Tell Lord Li that Móushā zhě has come as requested!" He shouted at the top of his lungs so that as many as possible could hear him and bring the city's master before him.

Taishi Ci · Post by **Taishi Ci** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:35 pm

Li Peng happened to have been waiting near the gate this time, and soon appeared at the exit to greet Mousha zhe, along with a servant holding another sack of gold. He bowed slightly at the mercenary leader.

"Master Mousha zhe, welcome back. It seems there were no difficulties for you again this month. However, I'm afraid this will be the last month of peace for Sai for quite some time. How are your men doing? Is a hundred gold a month still enough to support them?" He looked up a little, at the land surrounding the city. "I suppose now that you're here, we can dicuss the terms of your next job."

The servant approached the horse with the bag, eyes almost closed so he wouldn't have to stare at the horse's fierce appearance.

Li Peng pays Mousha zhe another 100 gold (KT money this time).

Yen Ai · Post by **Yen Ai** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:29 pm

((I'm just going to do it this way. It's lazy, yes, but I'm never going to get around to it in time if I don't.))

A letter arrives for Li Peng along with several documents.

Li Peng,

Anling has been captured, as agreed upon. I will expect payment soon. These are the documents necessary for it to be under your jurisdiction.

I look forward to future business.

Chen Tan.

Chen Tan gives Li Peng the town Anling.

Lurking Tyranny · Post by **Lurking Tyranny** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:08 am

Taishi Ci wrote:Li Peng happened to have been waiting near the gate this time, and soon appeared at the exit to greet Mousha zhe, along with a servant holding another sack of gold. He bowed slightly at the mercenary leader.

"Master Mousha zhe, welcome back. It seems there were no difficulties for you again this month. However, I'm afraid this will be the last month of peace for Sai for quite some time. How are your men doing? Is a hundred gold a month still enough to support them?" He looked up a little, at the land surrounding the city. "I suppose now that you're here, we can dicuss the terms of your next job."

The servant approached the horse with the bag, eyes almost closed so he wouldn't have to stare at the horse's fierce appearance.

Li Peng pays Mousha zhe another 100 gold (KT money this time).

The mercenary lord snatched the bag out of Li Peng's hands. Though he could be civil enough, he was still rough around the edges and careful when it came to payment for his men and himself.

He untied the bag of gold and began to thumb through the gold within, checking the various links and making certain he was not being stiffed. Only once he was satisfied did he turn his attention to the matter at hand.

Tying the bag closed once more, he tucked it into one of his saddlebags, then tugged at his braided beard as he considered the question.

"Your lands have expanded considerably from when this bargain was first struck. That is more terrain to be covered and now we have forces in opposition camped in Xianyang and Bashang; that is more danger." The mercenary stated rather matter of factly, as he continued to pull at his the long braided string that was his beard.

"My men number now in the three thousands and they are not ill equiped. Perhaps our contract should be renegotiated. I have had other offers. I will leave the setting of the new terms to you." He said with a brisk nod of his helmeted head. "If they are fair you will have Móushā zhě's mercenaries service all the longer."

Lurking Tyranny · Post by **Lurking Tyranny** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:13 pm

Bèigùde Shòu rubbed his wrists and rode to the temporary command tent of Li Peng following the defeat of the massive invasion force from Yong and his own capture. Many of his own mercenaries had perished in the conflict and those who had survived had picked up bad habits from the lesser trained troops they had fought along side and those demoralized captives conscripted into service.

He didn't wear his helmet and so his face, covering with blotches of mud and blood, was able to express a clear frown. "Lord Li, it is I, Móushā zhě. I have come here to talk and I am surprised you treated so well with a mere mercenary."

Taishi Ci · Post by **Taishi Ci** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:51 pm

October had been a bad month overall for Li Peng and he certainly did not like his usual self. His face had a melancholy appearance, and he stared into space for a few seconds before responding.

"...Ah, Mousha. I am glad to see you're still mostly in good health. Let me apologize for the way the prisoner exchange went; I should have known that the Brotherhood had no honor. There were far too many deaths from this battle. Too many..."

He looked down at his hand for a moment before continuing. "You are here to talk about your services, I assume? I had already planned to increase your payments to 130 gold a month, if that price pleases you. But this battle has robbed you of much, and perhaps you will be wanting more. I cannot give you soldiers, but if you desire something else, ask and I shall see what I can do."